Wi-Fi Access Improves Students’ Academic Performance

Although the internet only arose in the ‘80s, it has rapidly become a core component in students’
educational experiences worldwide. The digital network has placed more information at
scholars’ fingertips than ever before, and because of the wealth of information – readily available
at anyone’s beck and call – the tool has become a staple in higher education, especially.

Past surveys show that general student sentiment reflects this necessity. Even before tablets and
smartphones hit the market and were owned by even 50% of the nation’s population, 90% of
people believed that Wi-Fi access was just as essential to students’ education as a classroom or
computer. Some students even went so far as to assert the following:

 79% of students claimed that the wireless internet connection made their college
experience significantly easier

 75% of students believed that having Wi-Fi access boosted their performance, helping
them earn better grades

 44% of students assert that Wi-Fi helped increase their productivity levels (many used
Wi-Fi to get ahead on assignments while they were still attending class, instead of
waiting until they arrived home or to their dorm room)

How Does Wi-Fi Make a Difference in Education Equality?

Experts assert that Wi-Fi access is critical to achieving a future wherein students of all kinds can
receive “inclusive and equitable quality education” and learning opportunities that can (and will)
last a lifetime. Part of what can make this possible is the fact that school administrators and
educators will not be burdened by excess costs and poor-quality resources for teaching. Why?

Digital textbooks have been repeatedly proven to be significantly better than printed alternatives.
Since these educational tools are better for the faculty, they are relieved of excess stress and
burden, which inevitably creates a better experience for their students. Key reasons why digital
textbooks are so much better than printed educational materials are as follows:

 There is no delivery period. Students and faculty can receive their educational materials
immediately, maximizing their productivity levels in the first week or two of school.
(This eliminates the awkward introductory phase where students hardly learn or
accomplish anything).

 Digital textbooks are more sustainable than printed textbooks. Downloading a textbook
online is far more environmentally-friendly than buying printed material. According to
Debra Strong, Recycling in America author, “the paper industry is the single largest user
of fuel oil in the United States.” The average textbook has 100-300 pages, contributing
immensely to pollution.
  Digital textbooks help students and faculty save money. If students can download their
learning materials instead of buying printed copies, they can save a lot of money. Some
students pay between $600-900 per semester for textbooks alone! Many report that
these prices have major (46%) or modest (41%) impacts on their finances, ultimately
hurting their experiences.

 Donloaded books don’t require physical storage. Imagine the last time you walked
through your college campus. Recall how compact some of the dorm rooms are. Students
shouldn’t have to use up all their storage space for their giant textbooks. Instead, they can
either refer to their digital textbooks online as-needed or keep the downloaded file on a
computer.

 Freedom to mark up books for study purposes. One of the biggest pet peeves that many
college students face when renting learning materials is the restriction against
highlighting and note-taking on the pages. On a downloaded copy of the book, they are
free to mark it up as much as they like to help them remember all the critical details
required for exams.

The Internet Caters to Various Learning Styles

College students have a broad range of learning styles. While some are capable of picking up on
topics by merely listening to their professors and copying the notes on the board, others need
numerous types of stimuli for the message to get across. With a reliable Wi-Fi connection,
college students that require different teaching styles or who have learning challenges can get
precisely the guidance they need.

For instance, imagine that a professor who teaches physics uses only vocal lessons and
simplistically drawn diagrams on a whiteboard. When the curriculum finally reaches subjects
like inertia and gravity, a student that performs best with visual demonstrations might do well to
turn to the internet and research video demonstrations on the topics.

Better Student and Faculty Accountability with Wi-Fi

Plastic causes an overabundance of problems when discarded into our environment.

How does plastic waste affect the environment?

As mentioned previously, the internet is a double-edged sword for college campuses. Although it
does present the students with a wealth of information, it also opens up a can of worms that can
lead to some logistical troubles for everyone on campus. One of the biggest concerns that arises
with Wi-Fi access on college campuses – or any educational institution – is the emergence of
cheating.
How does plastic waste affect the environment?

Plastic causes an overabundance of problems when discarded into our environment.

Plastic bags block waterways and clog sewers, providing breeding grounds for insects like
mosquitoes that in turn proliferate the risk of diseases such as malaria.

In poorer countries, plastic waste is burned as heat for cooking, exposing people to toxic
emissions and contributing to poor air quality.

Floating plastic debris serves as a vehicle for alien species to hitchhike to unfamiliar parts of the
world, becoming invasive species and threatening biodiversity.

Another reason plastic waste and pollution has amassed so quickly is the lack of legislation
regulating plastics. As of May 2020, there are currently no federal laws restricting single-use
plastics, the single highest contributor to plastic waste.

Congress could work to shape federal policy by modeling legislation after existing local and state
laws passed to tackle the plastics problem.

The possibility of cheating is the main reason why certain devices are no longer allowed in
lecture halls during exams and is the motivation for similar restrictions. According to the
International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), the behavior is surprisingly prevalent:

 17% of graduate students and 39% of undergraduate students admitted to cheating on

tests
 40% of graduate students and 62% of undergraduate students admitted to cheating on
writing assignments
 In total, 43% of 17,000 graduate students and 68% of 71,300 undergraduate students
admitted to some form of cheating on test and written assignments or exams

This is quite unfortunate when looking at these numbers alone. However, remember that Wi-Fi
also grants faculty the necessary tools to catch and stop this sort of behavior. Websites like
TurnItIn.com and Copyscape require students to check their work for plagiarism before
submission. Plus, close monitoring of Wi-Fi use in lecture halls combined with reasonable access
restrictions enforces accountability

Many marine species, such as turtles and dolphins, mistake plastic fragments for food. Ingesting
plastic is often fatal to animals—too much plastic blocks their digestive tracts, causing them to
starve.
Stat: Plastic fragments have been found in 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird
species, and 43% of all marine mammal species.

Marine mammals also become entangled in plastic debris, causing drowning and suffocation, or
becoming easy prey for predators.

Styrofoam products, containing possible carcinogens such as benzene and styrene, are highly
toxic when ingested and can damage animals' lungs, nervous systems, and reproductive organs.

Chemicals ingested by these animals can make their way up the food chain onto our dinner
plates.

When we focus on recycling already existing plastics, we are curbing the need to produce newer
plastics. The manufacturing of plastic can be a very invasive process. A lot of mining is required
and more natural resources are used, resulting in harmful byproducts. When we recycle more,
this entire chain can be broken, resulting in a positive impact to our natural resources.

Plastic takes many hundred years to break down completely. If we carry on with our regular
plastic consumption, the majority of our landfills will only be used for plastics. This will leave
very little space for other waste materials that can actually be broken down easily. This is a huge
issue and recycling can help handle this issue properly on the ground level

Millions of marine animals, birds and wild animals die each year due to the consumption of
plastic or due to blockage of their respiratory tracts by choking and so on. This major issue can
also be tackled when we take responsibility for our plastic waste and do our bit by recycling it.

1. Plastic containers

Hard plastics, for example (plastic beverage bottles and personal hygiene product bottles) are
recycled into different products. They become new bottles that can be used as milk jugs, as
plastic lumber, picnic tables, plastic lawn furniture, plastic dustbins and more such items.

2. Plastic wraps and packaging

Other thin plastics like plastic bags and clingfilm wraps are recycled into plastic lumber. This is
used for making new park benches, plastic furniture and fences. They can also be made into new
plastic bags. These materials can be recycled over and over again, so make sure you are not
throwing any of these out!

3. Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles used for sodas or drinking water are some of the most commonly thrown away
plastics in the world. These plastics can be recycled to make many new items. Items like clothing
 (t-shirts, sweaters, jackets), for making sleeping
bags that are insulated, can be used for
carpeting and also making more plastic bottles.
To make one t-shirt from plastic, you only need
10 plastic bottles. So make sure that you don’t
throw these bottles out and send them over to
your closest recycling center.

Ranniger, G. (2022, December 2). How

does plastic waste affect the
environment? EHN. https://www.ehn.org/plastic-pollution-101-2646027569/
how-does-plastic-waste-affect-the-environment
Star, D., & Star, D. (2022, November 2). Why every college campus needs reliable Wi-
Fi. Groove Technology Solutions - Technology Solutions for Commercial and
Hospitalities Facilities. https://www.getgrooven.com/why-every-college-
campus-needs-reliable-wi-fi-in-2021/
McCarthy, N. (2021, June 11). Plastic items dominate ocean garbage. Statista Daily
Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/25056/waste-items-polluting-oceans/
We know plastic pollution is bad – but how exactly is it linked to climate
change? (2023, April 20). World Economic
Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/plastic-pollution-climate-
change-solution/
Uses of recycled plastic : What plastics can become - Plastic collectors. (2020, June
11). Plastic Collectors. https://www.plasticcollectors.com/blog/uses-of-
recycled-plastic/